Ron MacLean facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ron MacLean
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MacLean in 2006
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| Born | April 12, 1960 |
| Nationality | Canadian |
| Employer | Canadian Broadcasting Corporation Rogers Media |
| Known for | Co-host of Hockey Night in Canada |
Ron MacLean, born on April 12, 1960, is a famous Canadian sports announcer. He is best known for hosting Hockey Night in Canada, a very popular TV show about hockey. He hosted the show for many years, from 1986 to 2014, and then again starting in 2016. Ron also used to be a hockey referee!
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Ron MacLean's Early Life
Ron MacLean was born in Zweibrücken, West Germany, on April 12, 1960. His father was in the Royal Canadian Air Force. Ron's family moved back to Canada when he was just over a year old. They first lived in Chester, Nova Scotia.
When Ron was four, his dad was stationed in Whitehorse, Yukon. Later, his family moved to Sylvan Lake, Alberta. Ron went to high school in Red Deer, Alberta. There, he met his future wife, Cari. After high school, Ron planned to go to the University of Alberta. But then, he got a chance to work at a radio station, which led to a job at a TV station.
Ron MacLean's Career in Sports
Hosting Hockey Night in Canada
Ron MacLean started working on Hockey Night in Canada in 1986. He became the main host for games in Calgary and Toronto. He hosted his first Stanley Cup Finals that spring. Since then, he has been the host for the early games. A big part of his job was hosting Coach's Corner with Don Cherry.
Ron has also been a part of the Olympics coverage for the CBC since 1988. He became the main sports anchor for the Olympics. For example, he hosted the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing.
In 2014, Rogers Media took over the national rights for the NHL. Ron MacLean's role changed. He was no longer the main host of Hockey Night in Canada. However, he continued to host Coach's Corner. He also became a host for the new Hometown Hockey broadcasts. These shows traveled to different communities.
On June 27, 2016, Rogers announced that Ron MacLean would return as the host of the early games on Hockey Night in Canada. He replaced George Stroumboulopoulos.
In November 2019, Don Cherry made some comments during Coach's Corner. Ron MacLean apologized the next day for not speaking up at the time. Soon after, Don Cherry was no longer part of Hockey Night in Canada. On November 16, 2019, Ron MacLean spoke about the situation on the show. He also announced that Coach's Corner would no longer be on air.
Ron MacLean as a Referee
Besides his TV work, Ron MacLean was also a high-level referee for Hockey Canada. He refereed games in many different leagues across Canada. He even refereed a pre-season NHL game in 2006 between the Buffalo Sabres and the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Awards and Special Recognitions
Ron MacLean has won many awards for his work. He has won eight Gemini Awards, which are Canadian awards for TV. He won "Best Sports Broadcaster" several times. He also won "Best Host or Interviewer in a Sports Program" in 2004 and 2006.
In 1996, he was added to the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame. In 2016, Ron MacLean and Don Cherry received a star on Canada's Walk of Fame. This is a special honor for famous Canadians. Ron has also received honorary degrees from Lakehead University in 2018 and the University of Alberta in 2019.
Ron MacLean's Personal Life
Ron MacLean was named an Honorary Colonel for a squadron in the Canadian Forces. In 2010, Ron helped rescue a man in the Delaware River in Philadelphia.
